The desert has a beauty all its own. Hidden beneath the parched earth with wind teasing the dry grasses are seeds of new life just waiting to burst forth. The Southwest desert regions are absolutely fascinating.
One of my favorite places I have visited is the White Mountains in eastern California. There is a jewel hidden in that high desert mountain range. The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is a protected area high in the White Mountains in Inyo County. Having traveled through that area a few years ago, I can say if you’re planning a trip to that vicinity, it would be well worth a side trip to visit the ancient forest. The Ancient Bristlecone Scenic Byway winds through narrow canyons with gorgeous outcroppings of rocks. Climbing out of the valley, the reward is a view of rolling vistas and desert mountains dotted with gnarly trees that have survived the harsh conditions for years.
Many of the Bristlecone Pines are ancient trees. It is said the oldest known tree in the United States is a Bristlecone Pine. For years a tree named Methuselah, at about 4800 years old, was said to be the oldest but since then another tree in the same forest has been dated at over 5000 years old.
I sensed an air of sacred reverence there. Walking through the forest, it seemed that wisdom and history whispered from the trees. I was humbled just to stand there among those ancient sentries. Just think of all the changes that have occurred in their lifetime. They are survivors. How many people have sat at their roots? How many have wandered in those mountains among the pines? How many birds have nested in their branches? How many natives of this country have called it home? The Ancient Ones certainly deserve our protection and respect.
